When you want to buy a used car, the first thing to do is to examine its history. You want to ensure that the car has never been in an accident, stolen, or suffered damage caused by a flood.
A vehicle history report helps you get this crucial information before you decide to buy the vehicle. Carfax is a well-known vehicle history report provider, but it’s not the only option available.
How Much Does a Carfax Report Cost?
As of 2025, a single Carfax report costs around $44,99. If you need more than one report, Carfax will charge you around $99,99 for a single report, while this is useful for people checking multiple cars, the cost can still add up quickly.
When purchasing a used car, especially from a private seller or auction site, you should perform a VIN check to obtain the vehicle history report, which provides you with all the details about the vehicle at a lower cost. Detailed Vehicle History should be your go-to.
Is CarFax Worth the Price?
You might wonder if that price is a good deal for a single report. Here’s what you will be getting on the CarFax report
- Title and registration status
- Number of previous owners
- Reported accidents
- Service records
- Mileage history
For many buyers, this information is important. However, you need to understand that not all data is available on the CarFax records. Depending on the data source, some auction sales, damage reports, and maintenance records might be missing.
In addition to that, the CarFax report usually does not include an auction photo of the car, so buyers cannot examine the actual car’s condition when it was auctioned.
Is There Any Carfax Alternative?
If you are looking for the same type of vehicle history report but cheaper and of higher quality, the Detailed Vehicle History has you covered. The vehicle history report has more comprehensive data and at a cheaper price (only $19,99/report!).
Here’s what you will be getting on the vehicle history report from Detailed Vehicle History
- Accident and title history
- Odometer readings
- Ownership records
- Auction images (if the car has been listed at an auction)
- Sale records
- Recalls and more
The price is 67% lower than the CarFax, making it a good choice for everyone who wants to generate more than one report, as you can save more money.
No need to worry about the data source; Detailed Vehicle History gets data from reliable sources such as the US government databases. Thus, in the report, you may find up to ten photos when the vehicle was put up for auction. The added feature of auction photos can be especially valuable. Seeing past images of the car gives you visual proof of its condition at different points in time.
Why Auction Photos Matter?
Auction photos show the actual car’s condition during the auction, which some of the vehicle history reports often miss. This image is important for the buyer to assess the condition of the car, as it may be damaged or even salvaged, making it easier to spot the damage.
Exterior Damage
Photos from the outside of the car help a lot when you want to assess its actual condition, which can reveal dents, scratches, rust spots, and faded paint. These details may not be listed in a written report, but they affect the car’s value and safety.
Interior Condition
Auction photos often show the car’s interior condition, including the seats, dashboard, and flooring. You can spot rips, stains, broken parts, or signs of neglect that written descriptions might skip or downplay.
Tire Wear or Missing Parts
Tires can show how well the car was maintained. Worn tread, mismatched sets, or missing parts like hubcaps and mirrors become clear through photos, helping you judge how the car was treated.
Whether Airbags Deployed
Photos can show if airbags have been deployed and possibly replaced. This is important because it indicates the car was in an accident, even if the report doesn’t mention a crash.
Mileage Shown on the Dash
The image of the odometer confirms the mileage listed in the report. This helps you spot odometer fraud or mistakes and makes sure you’re not overpaying for a car with high mileage.
For buyers, this kind of visual matters because they get to see the vehicle’s actual condition without actually paying a visit to the auction, and it helps them save thousands of dollars.
Which One Should You Choose? CarFax or Detailed Vehicle History
Both CarFax and Detailed Vehicle History aim to help used car buyers examine the car’s past easily by providing a reliable vehicle history report. The right choice depends on your needs and budget. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Carfax | Detailed Vehicle History |
| Price per report | $44.99/report | $19,99/report |
| Auction photos | Not included | Included (if available) |
| Accident & title records | Included | Included |
| Owner History Map | Not Included | Included |
| Support for heavy-duty trucks, trailers & motorcycles | Not Included | Included |
| Classic Vehicle Data | Not supported | Supported |
| Odometer data | Included | Included |
| Mobile and Desktop Application | Not available | Available on App Store and Play Store |
| Package deals | Yes, limited | Yes, more options |
| Report Expiration | The report expired after a fixed time | The report does not expire. |
| Offline VIN Decoding | Not available | Available |
If you’re checking many cars or want a cost-effective way to get full details, including photos, then Detailed Vehicle History is worth considering.
Conclusion
Knowing how much a Carfax report costs is helpful when planning your used car purchase. While it’s a well-known brand, it may not offer the best value for everyone.
If you’re looking for a vehicle history report that’s both affordable and detailed, consider Detailed Vehicle History. It gives you everything you expect and more, like auction photos at a lower cost.
Knowing all the details of the car from A to Z makes it simpler to avoid unforeseen issues and purchase the vehicle with assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are auction photos important in a vehicle history report?
Auction photos show the vehicle’s real condition at the time of sale. This helps buyers see past damage, mileage, or missing parts that a text report might not show.
Do all cars have auction history available?
No, only vehicles that were sold through auctions will have auction records and photos. If the vehicle has not been auctioned, these images won’t be available in the report.
Can I use a vehicle history report for imported cars, too?
Yes. Detailed Vehicle History supports international VINs and provides data for many imported vehicles, including auction and export history when available.
Can Carfax help determine the value of a classic car?
Unfortunately, Carfax cannot determine the value of classic cars. If you want to know the value of your classic car, use the Detailed Vehicle History and get the classic car report.
How much does a Carfax report cost?
Expect to pay around $44,99 for a single report in CarFax, while it might be costly for some people, you may opt for a cheaper car report that gives you better information.
